H.R. 4694 — Fighting Fibers Act of 2025

This section requires that, beginning January 1, 2030, no new washing machine (i.e., residential or commercial machine for washing clothes and linen) is sold or offered for sale in the United States unless it (1) contains a microfiber filtration system (i.e., active across all cycles and either built-in or an in-line filter packaged and installed with the machine) with a mesh size of not greater than 100 micrometers or an equivalently effective alternative, (2) bears a conspicuous label stating “Notice: This washing machine contains a filter to capture microfibers. Check filter regularly and dispose of captured lint in a waste bin” or a similar notice, and (3) meets any other standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, jointly with the Secretary of Energy, through rulemaking. The EPA Administrator must ensure compliance and may assess civil penalties of up to $10,000 for a first violation and $30,000 for each subsequent violation, in addition to other available remedies.

This section defines "microfiber" as a synthetic or natural textile fiber less than 5 millimeters in length and directs the Administrator, in consultation with other relevant federal agencies, to conduct a nationwide study on (1) the presence, sources, and pathways of microfibers in the human body and environment; (2) toxic effects of microfibers on human health and the environment; and (3) inequitable impacts on environmental justice communities. The Administrator must submit a report describing the study results to Congress, and make it publicly available, not later than one year after enactment.